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Use of Unlicensed Software at 24 Percent in Canada, New BSA Survey Finds

CANADA — May 25, 2016 — Computer users in Canada are using unlicensed software at an alarming rate, despite the link between unlicensed software and cyberattacks, according to the new Global Software Survey from BSA | The Software Alliance.

The survey, Seizing Opportunity Through License Compliance, found that in Canada the percent of software installed on computers that was not properly licensed was 24 percent. This represents a one-point decrease compared with BSA’s prior study in 2013.

This rate of access has been influenced in part by important trends under way in Canada. The driving force for the decrease was a mature market as can be seen through the falling consumer share of PC shipments and installed base, as well as increased software asset management (SAM) programs. The increase in migration to subscription software also helped drive the rate down.

“As the report underscores, it is critically important for a company to be aware of what software is on the company network,” said BSA |The Software Alliance President and CEO Victoria A. Espinel. “Many CIOs don’t know the full extent of software deployed on their systems or if that software is legitimate.”

The survey, which canvassed consumers, IT managers, and enterprise PC users, reinforces that use of unlicensed software is still high, and that individuals and companies are playing with fire when they use unlicensed software. This is due to the strong connection between cyberattacks and the use of unlicensed software. Where unlicensed software is in use, the likelihood of encountering malware dramatically goes up. And the cost of dealing with malware incidents can be staggering. In 2015 alone, for example, cyberattacks cost businesses over $400 billion.

Among the other findings:

39 percent of software installed on computers around the world in 2015 was not properly licensed, representing only a modest decrease from 43 percent in BSA’s previous global study in 2013.

Even in certain critical industries, unlicensed use was surprisingly high. The survey found the worldwide rate is 25 percent for the banking, insurance and securities industries.

CIOs estimate that 15 percent of their employees load software on the network without their knowledge. But they are significantly underestimating the problem; nearly double that amount—26 percent of employees — say they are loading unauthorized software on the network.

Despite these numbers, the findings show a keen awareness of the problem:

CIOs said their highest concern was loss of data associated with such a security incident.

CIOs also said that avoiding security threats is a critical reason for ensuring the software running in their networks is legitimate and fully licensed.

In the broader survey of employees, 60 percent cited the security risk associated with unlicensed software as a critical reason to use legitimate, fully licensed software.

The report adds that companies can mitigate the cybersecurity risks of unlicensed software by ensuring all software is purchased from legitimate sources and establishing an in-house SAM program. Organizations that effectively deploy SAM will know what's on their network, and whether it is legitimate and licensed; will optimize their use of software by deploying software that's the best fit for their businesses; will have policies and procedures in place that govern procurement, deployment, and retirement of software; and will have integrated SAM fully into their business.

Highlights in this year’s survey, by region, include:

The region with the highest overall rate of unlicensed software was Asia-Pacific at 61 percent, a one-point decline compared with BSA’s previous survey in 2013.

The next-highest unlicensed software rate was in Central and Eastern Europe with 58 percent (falling three-points from the rate registered in 2013), and then the Middle East-Africa at 57 percent (dropping two-points since 2013).

North America continues to have the lowest regional rate at 17 percent, although this constitutes a significant commercial value of $10 billion.

In Western Europe the overall rate dropped one point to 28 percent.

Seizing Opportunity Through License Compliance, BSA’s Global Software Survey which includes a breakdown of country-specific data, is available at www.bsa.org/globalstudy.

About BSA | The Software Alliance

BSA | The Software Alliance (www.bsa.org) is the leading advocate for the global software industry before governments and in the international marketplace. Its members are among the world’s most innovative companies, creating software solutions that spark the economy and improve modern life. With headquarters in Washington, DC, and operations in more than 60 countries, BSA pioneers compliance programs that promote legal software use and advocates for public policies that foster technology innovation and drive growth in the digital economy.

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BSA | The Software Alliance (www.bsa.org) is the leading advocate for the global software industry before governments and in the international marketplace. Its members are among the world’s most innovative companies, creating software solutions that spark the economy and improve modern life. With headquarters in Washington, DC, and operations in more than 60 countries, BSA pioneers compliance programs that promote legal software use and advocates for public policies that foster technology innovation and drive growth in the digital economy.More >>